Diminutive Dynamo — the 911

October 19th, 2019

3 minute read

Concealed carriers look for a few things when purchasing a new carry gun. The gun should be controllable, concealable and feel good in the hand. Quick, think of a few more that I left out. Perhaps, it is knock-down power, grips, round count or trigger feel? There’s been a trend in recent years from gun companies by slimming down guns without sacrificing fit, feel and all that other good stuff. Springfield Armory may have figured out how to deliver everything we need in a concealed carry gun with the 911.

Interesting Options

Springfield Armory originally produced the 911 in a .380 Auto version and now makes a 9mm model. I like this pistol. The grip and trigger reminded me of a small 1911, but I wanted a 9mm for my concealed carry. A 9mm has been my concealed carry for as long as I can remember, so I wanted to stick with this chambering.

On the other hand, while spending some time with Rob Leatham, I learned he loved to carry the 911 in .380. This came as a shock to me because Rob is a big dude and in my little brain that just didn’t connect. It just goes to show that the old phrase “to each his own” rings true.

Springfield Armory 911 on snow — The author was able to shoot the little 911 really well despite cold temperatures and freezing hands, due to the pistol’s excellent grips and checkering.

The Details

Here are the big pluses that I think make the 911 such a great option for the EDC folks. Tricked out with a lightweight aluminum frame, the 911 is equipped with G-10 grips and aggressive Octo-Grip checkering on the front- and backstrap. I can’t imagine handling a gun of this size without quality grips.

What’s the number one feature people rave about the 1911? The trigger! The trigger is the basis for all precision shooting. The first thing I do when picking up a gun, aside from making sure it’s safe, is feel the trigger. You can tell a ton about how a gun performs solely on trigger feel. There’s just something special about the way a 1911 trigger feels when it has a crisp break. Well, the 911’s trigger reminds me a lot of it. It has a crisp pull and short reset, and Springfield Armory equipped the pistol with a Hogue G-10 trigger shoe that feels great.

Drawing the Springfield 911 from a Crossbreed Holster — The 911 is small enough for practically invisible carry, but powerful enough to be an effective self-defense tool.

Make Your Choice

Remember how I said I might want something more than a .380? Well, Springfield Armory lifted my spirits with the release of the 911 in 9mm. A welcomed addition to my arsenal, the 911 in 9mm also features Ameriglo Pro-Glo tritium Night Sights like the .380. I started replacing most sights on my carry guns with Ameriglo sights. The bright, luminescent circles stand out against the darkness. Plus, it doesn’t matter if I’m in daylight or night, the sights show up immediately.

Range day with the 911 took place in the dead of winter. Snow on the ground and hands freezing, I shot the 911 great. I personally 100 percent believe that without the extra attention to the grips I wouldn’t have been able to control the gun as well as I did.

Okay, so by now you can tell I love the fit and feel of the Springfield Armory 911. Everything comes down to comfort. Each day, I become more comfortable with this diminutive dynamo, and in the end, that’s all that matters. So .380 or 9mm, it’s your choice. Either way, I think you’ll be very happy with your selection!

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Kevin Jarnagin and shared with us by GUN TALK.

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Springfield Armory® recommends you seek qualified and competent training from a certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owner’s manual. These articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Springfield Armory.

Product prices mentioned in articles and videos are current as of the date of publication.

Kevin Jarnagin

Kevin Jarnagin (KJ) hails from Oklahoma but quickly established Louisiana roots after joining the Gun Talk team. KJ grew up as a big game hunter and often finds himself in a bass boat. Whether it’s making his way to British Columbia for elk or training with pistols, Jarnagin always seems to find a gun in his hands and adventure on his mind.